CHAPTER 4: THE ASSASSINATION LIST
CHAPTER 4: THE ASSASSINATION LIST
The palace went into complete lockdown.
No one was permitted to leave.
The Duke studied the paper under the light of his desk.
“These are not random names,” he said.
The list included a cabinet minister, a senior judge, a defense contractor, and the palace security chief.
All four were guests at the gala.
Evelyn looked at her father.
“What connects them?”
The Duke’s expression hardened.
“Fifteen years ago, they helped me investigate illegal weapons sales through the royal charity foundation.”
“Who was responsible?”
“We never proved it.”
Noah shifted beneath the blanket.
“Aunt Cass had boxes with that symbol.”
He pointed to the royal crest on the pendant.
The Duke looked at the palace security chief, Sir Adrian Holt.
“Holt, search the Vale estate.”
Holt did not move.
“Your Grace, we need a warrant.”
“This is a matter of royal security.”
“Even royal security has procedures.”
Evelyn noticed a faint line of sweat on his forehead.
“You’re on the list too,” she said. “Why aren’t you frightened?”
Holt’s eyes changed.
Only slightly.
But the Duke saw it.
“Disarm him,” he ordered.
Holt reached inside his jacket.
The guards moved too late.
He pulled out a small device and pressed a button.
An explosion shook the east wing.
The windows rattled.
Smoke rolled past the courtyard.
Holt ran for the door.
A guard tackled him before he could escape.
“What did you do?” Evelyn demanded.
Holt smiled against the marble floor.
“I opened the gate.”
Outside, the palace alarm began to scream.
Security monitors showed three black vehicles breaking through the eastern entrance.
Armed men poured into the gardens.
Noah grabbed Evelyn’s hand.
“They’re from the house.”
The Duke drew an antique pistol from his desk drawer.
“Take the boy through the old passage.”
“I’m not leaving you,” Evelyn said.
“You already lost your son once. You will not lose him again.”
A guard opened a hidden door behind the bookshelf.
Evelyn led Noah inside.
Just before the stone wall closed, the Duke looked at his grandson.
“Your mother came back from hell for you,” he said. “Now you stay beside her.”
May you like
The passage sealed.
Seconds later, gunfire erupted inside the palace.
